Navy Sinks Aircraft Carrier to Create Reef

Houston Chronicle ^ | MELISSA NELSON, Associated Press Writer

[taxcontrol]

Except for the fish that was caught. [grin]

[dirtboy]

It was sunk with jets still on deck?! :)

That was a tribute to all the jets McCain splashed when he was a pilot on the carrier.

[capt. norm]

Except for the fish that was caught. [grin]

You're right. I guess that's why they call them "fish".

The best piece of advice I handed down to my son came from our mutual love of fishing. We had the usual talk about sex and then I told him that with the young ladies it's the same as in fishing conservation: "Catch and Release".

[carrier-aviator]

I served as Handler on IKE (CVN-69). It was always a sight to see the Whale land (looked like a sack of sh** when landing), but the Whale took a beautiful cat shot.

I always liked seeing the cat shot, because then I didn't have to worry about finding a spot in the hangar deck or on the flight deck for the enormous beast!

[RHINO369]

One of the carriers that was in the pacific and just avoided the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, was sunk by the British during the 82 Falklands war.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

A business associate of mine served on the USS King, and he said that THEIR nickname for her was "The Big Nothing."

[quark]

Learned to tank off a Whale, day & night refueling qual. Superb, stable platform for that mission. Better than hanging off the wing of an A-7 or under the roar of Intruder engines!

[carrier-aviator]

I think you are confused. The Brits sunk a light cruiser, the General Belgrano (former USS Phoenix).

[RHINO369]

Yea I'm confused, sorry

[carrier-aviator]

No need to apologize, brother!

[Slicksadick]

Your posted image makes it look like the ship was sunk near Miami. It wasn't. Pensacola is just about as far from Miami as you can get (and we like it that way) and still be in Florida.

I'm sorry if you don't like the image. You may wish to discuss its discrepancies with the site that created it. Here is the address.

http://www.divemiami.com/oriskany_main.htm

[capt. norm]

I'm sorry if you don't like the image. You may wish to discuss its discrepancies with the site that created it. Here is the address.

No reflection on you, it just freaked me out seeing the Miami sky-line in the background. Nashville, Tennessee is closer to the ship's location than Miami.

I guess they are trying to use it to drum up their diving business, but if you go to Miami and they're gonna take you to this fishing spot, it's going to be one really long boat-ride.

[COEXERJ145]

Video of the Oriskany sinking

[sasportas]

Say, how 'bout you airdales cluing us blackshoes in. What plane is the whale you are talking about.

[Non-Sequitur]

Say, how 'bout you airdales cluing us blackshoes in. What plane is the whale you are talking about.

Douglas A-3 Skyraider AKA the Whale. It was a big, honkin' twin engine attack aircraft from the late-50's or early-60's. In later reincarnations is was used as a tanker and an electronics warfare plane.

[quark]

Oops, make that the A-3 Skywarrior matey!

[sasportas]

Skywarrior? No wonder. Now that was a huge plane. Not two engine though, don't know why non-sequitur says it had two engines.

[quark]

non-sequitur correctly described the A-3 Skywarrior (aka Whale). It does have two engines. The A-1 Skraider (aka Spad) is a single radial engine attack aircraft that saw action in Korea & Vietnam. Both great planes!

[sasportas]

I stand corrected. The Skyraider could carry a huge amount of ordanance I hear, 'bout as much as B-17.

[capt. norm]

I think they took the deep six. Their site comes up but you can't contact any humans there. All my email attempts have come back undeliverable.

I'm thinking that at one time, they thought they would get the ship for their project.